Mobile users’ needs and expectations of future multimedia services Hendrik Knoche , John McCarthy University College Lon

1. WWRF12 Meeting, 4-5 November 2004, Toronto, Canada Mobile users’ needs and expectations of future multimedia services Hendrik Knoche, John McCarthy University College London {h.knoche|j.mccarthy}@cs.ucl.ac.uk Contribution Number Allocated by WG/SIG chair

2. Mobile Users’ Needs and Expectations of Future Multimedia Services Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcast

3. Methodology • 160 participants (75 women, 85 men) in UK, France, Greece • in 60-90 minute sessions (26) Addressed topics • Current usage • Switched provider • Shortcomings of mobile lifestyle • Wishes • Alternatives for commuting • Competitive advantage Suggested Services • Live • News & Weather • Disaster Management • MTV/radio • PVR • Dating • Language Courses Show IPAQ video example Rank services

4. Alternative screens

5. Methodology • 160 participants (75 women, 85 men) • in 60-90 minute sessions (26) Addressed topics • Current usage • Switched provider • Shortcomings of mobile lifestyle • Wishes • Alternatives for commuting • Competitive advantage Suggested Services • Live • News & Weather • Disaster Management • MTV/radio • PVR • Dating • Language Courses Show IPAQ video example Rank services

6. Profile of participants

7. Main advantages and disadvantages

8. Changes in life style “the phone is my life”

9. Current usage - SMS “I don’t want to talk for hours” • Despite labour intensiveness - especially valued by young (UK 30% text freaks) • Comparatively low cost • Little human protocol overhead • Conversation multiplexing • Works in noisy and ‘quiet’ places • Storage • Disappointment about current push services: non-meaningful, untimely, duplicates, billing

10. ‘Non-traditional’ uses • Gaming • Listening to radio • Organising • Multimedia messaging • Internet access

11. Current usage on public transport • Typical use: Voice calls, SMS, gaming, radio • Many avoid its usage in public transport (53% of the Greek) • etiquette and privacy concerns • More are annoyed with other people using it in public

12. Criteria for provider selection, switching • Cheaper service • Better service(s) – e.g. free nights and weekend calls • Coverage • Social circles • Handsets • Problem of porting number is major reason against switch

13. Service ranking results in comparison

14. News and weather “when you hear about the bombings you want to know right away what’s going on” • Most appealing content: timely + short = being mobile + dead time • Short delay requirements • Abroad coverage valuable (staying in touch) • Choice is important • Traffic news are sought • Weather not as important Anticipated problems: • Cost “Not worth checking the weather for 50p”

15. “I won't get messages about disasters all the time so in the mean time traffic info would be helpful” Disaster management • #1 for Greek participants (earthquakes, fires) • 1st hand broadcast information, phones are ON • Huge interest in the inherent traffic reports Anticipated problems: • Frequency of alerts (desensitization/anxiety) • Big brother – ‘they know where you are’ • Hijacked or jammed systems • Cost – “it can’t be that certain people can’t afford it”

16. Live (Events) “I think that would be good - but if it's too expensive then I wouldn't use it” • News • Soccer (live, and results!) • Sports (cricket, F1, tennis, olympics, skiing, etc,) • Weather • Stock quotes • Concerts (good sound required) • Live TV Anticipated problems: • Cost (pay-per-view) • Screen size • Missing atmosphere (group experience)

17. Music TV / radio “I would be quite happy with radio … I like listening more than watching” • Phone convergence with radio • Transfer capability to/from PC • Forwarding to friends • Convergence with MP3-players (battery life!) • Regular (daily update) must be better than current TV or radio in terms of customization (personal taste) “..cause it's another step in entertainment - and then music and the video is the next step and then there will be something else“

18. Language courses “for those ten minutes you're on the bus, plug it in and listen to this is how you say I'm going to the restaurant‘ “ • Appealing especially to non-native speakers • Desires for dictionary and/or live translator (audible) • Supplement to courses in general not only for missed classes • Also for lectures, cooking, how-tos, documents etc.

19. PVR “anything longer than 10 minutes – I don’t think people would do it outside of home" • For long commuters and travellers • Seen as mobile remote control & TV guide • Keep & forward • Personalisation Anticipated problems: • Complex UI • Small screen (missing cues in content) • Gathering marketing data (France)

20. Dating “I wouldn't do it but I know a lot of people who would – a lot of people would do anything to meet other people.” • No one would use it personally but knows lots of people who would • could be coupled with chat (keyboard) • Better control for children than on the computer Anticipated problems: • Reputation “What kind of person are you if you're dating on the tube? Everyone would see that you're looking for someone”

21. Conclusions Mobile multimedia consumption • Generally interested – should match with improvements in coverage • Inexpensive • Content should be short • News fits best • Live sport not as popular => social consumption • Music for younger => radio ++ • Should not interfere with communication needse.g. battery life, content consumption